Gloves for mixed martial arts, boxing, and other sports

ABSTRACT

A protective sports glove for various sports, including combat sports, is disclosed. The gloves comprise a double strap securing mechanism for providing a more customary fit users of all hand sizes. The double strap securing mechanism comprises an internal fastening strap and an external fastening strap.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of, and is a non-provisional of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/180,918 filed Jun. 17, 2015 entitled “Mixed Martial Arts and Fighting Gloves.” The entire disclosure of that application is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fighting, lifting, and fitness gloves.

BACKGROUND

Protective gloves for sports such as mixed martial arts, fighting, boxing, lifting, and fitness have typically been designed with the assumption that the athlete is male. As a result, such gloves are designed for hands according to male proportions. Gloves for women have typically been shrunken versions of the male gloves. Furthermore, many gloves sold as “women's” gloves have been designed for looks rather than functionality for the size of the athlete. Similarly, manufacturers also take this approach for smaller athletes and children.

Many female athletes enjoy fighting sports and other fitness activities that require gloves. Typically, female athletes have to settle for poorly fitting equipment initially designed for men. In many instances, this can result in the athlete being distracted by the poor fit of the gloves, performing poorly, or becoming injured.

There is a need for improved gloves with a better fit for athletes of various sizes.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure provides a protective sports glove comprising a double strap securing mechanism. The glove comprises a volar wrist portion comprising an unconnected distal end and a first attachment portion and a dorsal wrist portion comprising an unconnected ulna end and a second attachment portion. The glove also comprises a double strap securing mechanism comprising a first strap operably connected to the volar wrist portion and configured to be releasably attached to the first attachment portion of the volar wrist portion; a strap slot attached proximate to the ulna end of the dorsal wrist portion and configured to receive the first strap therethrough; a second strap operably connected to the dorsal wrist portion; wherein the first strap is configured to be pulled through the strap slot to tighten the dorsal wrist portion and configured to be pulled back towards the thumb side of the glove and releasably attached to the first attachment portion; and wherein the second strap is configured to be pulled toward the thumb side of the glove, over the volar wrist portion, around a radius end of the glove, and releasably attached to the second attachment portion, thereby securing the glove around an inserted wrist.

In some embodiments, the attachment portion of the volar wrist portion comprises hook-and-loop material.

In some embodiments, a hook-and-loop portion of the first strap is attached to the surface of the volar wrist portion.

In some embodiments, the first strap is configured to be releasably attached to the hook-and-loop portion of the first strap.

In some embodiments, the second attachment portion comprises hook-and-loop material.

In some embodiments, the protective sports glove further comprises a thumb opening. In other embodiments, the protective sports glove further comprises an open palm configuration. In further embodiments, the protective sports glove further comprises a closed palm configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary left hand embodiment of the disclosed gloves.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the double strap securing mechanism of the gloves disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the back of an exemplary embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a right hand embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an open-palm embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure provides protective sports gloves for use in various sports, including mixed martial arts (“MMA”), boxing, other combat sports, and lifting. The gloves of this disclosure comprise a double strap securing mechanism comprising an interior strap and exterior strap. The double strap securing mechanisms enables a user to more selectively and customarily fit and form the glove to the user's hand.

As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” mean one or more than one.

As used herein, the term “about” means ±10%.

This disclosure provides protective sports gloves for various sports. A typical direction of motion is along the axis approximately representing the axis of the forearm. As used herein, the term “up” in this context refers to away from the elbow—the direction that a glove usually takes when being removed—and “down” in this context refers to towards the elbow. In this contexts, “top” and “bottom” refer to portions of the glove furthest from the elbow and closest to the elbow, respectively.

Embodiments of gloves described herein can address an issue that arises in competitions and other contexts in that the glove shifts during movement and shifts up such that it cannot be shifted back down without stopping the action and perhaps requiring some untaping or other disassembly. A glove with just an outer strap that wraps around the entire wrist area results in the glove being tightest at the bottom section by the forearm. Using such a glove, when a user opens and closes their hand (as can be required by the sport in which the glove is used), the glove shifts up and cannot be shifted back down to place without unstrapping. Unstrapping in many sports is not viable, as the sporting action is continuous and the glove might be taped into place.

The protective sports gloves provided herein comprise a double strap securing mechanism for securably and releasably tightening around a wearer's wrist. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment. Glove 100 comprises volar wrist portion 102 comprising unconnected distal end 104 distal from the thumb side of the glove. Wrist portion 102 also comprises first attachment portion 106. Glove 100 also comprises dorsal wrist portion comprising unconnected ulna end 108 and a second attachment portion (not shown in FIG. 1).

The double strap securing mechanism of glove 100 comprises first strap 110 operably connected to volar wrist portion 102 and configured to be releasably attached to first attachment portion 106. Strap slot 112 is attached proximate to ulna end 108 of the dorsal wrist portion and comprises an opening to receive first strap 110 therethrough. First strap 110 is configured to be pulled through strap slot 112 and pulled back towards the thumb side of glove 100, where it can be releasably attached to first attachment portion 106. When first strap 110 is pulled through strap slot 112, dorsal end 104 is pulled towards ulna end 108, thereby allowing the glove to be tightened around the wrist of a wearer. The pull of first strap 110 through strap slot 112 cinches the glove's dorsal side, making the fit and form of the glove more custom fit for the user. The user can selectively adjust the tightness of the fit as desired. For example, the user may tighten or loosen the cinched portion of the glove in order to adjust the dorsal side on the palm-side of the hand. In some embodiments, the glove comprises a t-strap design with an opening for the user's thumb. In other embodiments, the glove comprises an open palm design, a design typical of MMA gloves. In still other embodiments, the glove comprises a covered palm. In still other embodiments, the gloves comprise a partially covered palm and an opening for a user's thumb.

Second strap 114 is operably connected to the dorsal wrist portion and configured to be attached to second attachment portion (not shown in FIG. 1). Second strap 114 is configured to be pulled toward the thumb side of glove 100, over volar wrist portion 102, and around radius end 116 of glove 100, and releasably attached to a second attachment portion, thereby securing the glove around a wearer's wrist.

In some embodiments, glove 100 comprises thumb-opening 118. However, the thumb opening is not necessary, and, in other embodiments, the glove has an open palm design (see FIG. 5). In still other embodiments, the glove can have a closed palm design. In some embodiments, glove 100 comprises finger holes 120-126. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the finger holes are not required for every glove (e.g., not for boxing gloves), and can vary in number.

FIG. 2 provides a closer view of the double strap securing mechanism. Hook-and-loop material (e.g., Velcro) can be used to releasably secure the mechanism. In some embodiments, first strap 202 comprises hook material on first securement section 204. First securement section 204 is configured to be releasably attached to first attachment portion 206, which can comprise loop material. In some embodiments, first securement section 204 comprises loop material and first attachment portion 206 comprises hook material. In some embodiments, first securement section 204 comprises hook-and-loop material and first attachment portion 206 comprises hook-and-loop material.

Second strap 208 comprises second securement section 210, which can comprise hook-and-loop material and be configured to be releasably attached the second attachment portion on the dorsal portion of the glove (not shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 shows a view of the back of an exemplary embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein. Glove 300 comprises second strap 302 operably connected to dorsal portion 304. Dorsal portion 304 comprises second attachment portion 306. Second attachment portion 306 can comprise hook-and-loop material. The underside of second strap 302 comprises a second securement section configured to be releasably attached to second attachment portion 306. The second securement section can also comprise hook-and-loop material. When second strap 302 is wrapped back around the volar portion and around radius end 308, the second securement section can be releasably attached to second attachment portion 306, thereby securing glove 300 around the wrist of a wearer. The wearer can selectively adjust the fit to the desired tightness.

FIG. 4 illustrates a right hand embodiment of a glove. Glove 400 comprises dorsal portion 402 operably connected to first strap 404. First strap 404 is pulled through strap slot 406 in a distal direction and then back towards the thumb. First strap 404 comprises first securement section 408 for securing first strap on first attachment portion 410. Second strap 412 comprises second securement section 414 and is configured to be pulled towards the thumb side of the glove, over the first strap, around radius end 416, where second securement section 414 can be releasably attached to second attachment portion on the dorsal side of the glove (not shown in FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment with an open palm. Such gloves are often used in MMA. Glove 500 has opening 502 for the user's palm. As discussed herein, other designs for the palm and thumb are included in the gloves of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the interior (first) strap comprises a Velcro loop, hook, hook-and-loop fastener, touch fastener, and/or strap closure. In some embodiments, the exterior (second) strap features a Velcro hook (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener) and strap that is configured to tighten and secure the interior construction.

The interior closure is configured to pull and form the thumb-side (interior side of the hand versus the pinky-side or exterior side of the hand) inward toward the hand (toward the pinky-side), while the exterior closure pulls from the pinky-side of the hand (the exterior side) inward toward the hand (toward the thumb-side or interior) to tighten with balanced tension. The interior strap is configured to secure or lock in the smallest taper of the wrist (between the forearm and hand) to ensure the glove does not move up (toward the forearm) or down (toward the hand) the hand as it is being used.

With the double strap securing mechanism provided herein, the smallest part of the wrist is captured by the glove's inner strap. This allows the user to open and close their hands without the glove shifting up or down, or at least not irretrievably shifting to the point of causing interference with the sport. Another advantage of the inner strap is that it creates a more uniform thickness transition between the forearm and wrist, which allows an outer strap to be tightened more evenly.

The disclosed gloves provide these advantages across all sizes of the gloves. Moreover, sizes of the gloves disclosed herein can vary and can include all sizes. In some embodiments, the size of gloves may correspond to typical sizes on the market. In other embodiments, the gloves include a smaller-type configuration, such that the glove may be fit or conformed to a smaller sized hand (e.g., a size that is better suited for a female's hand, a child's hand, or a smaller hand in general than general gloves on the market, generally fitted for larger men). In some embodiments, the sizing grade or size grading of some example embodiments of the glove is configured for women's hand proportions. In some embodiments, the gloves are boxing gloves and range in size from about 8 oz to about 20 oz. In some embodiments, the gloves are MMA gloves and range in size from about 6″ in circumference to about 11.5″ in circumference.

In some embodiments, the gloves are sized to provide fighters the option to use tape or wrap, as is common in the sport. This allows for an extra bit of room for flexibility if the user has taped hands, while still being equally comfortable without tape. Exemplary embodiments, include an MMA Small: 4⅝″ from left to right across the widest part of glove (knuckle area), an MMA Medium: 4¾″ from left to right across the widest part of glove (knuckle area), and an MMA Large: 4⅞″ from left to right across the widest part of glove (knuckle area). Example embodiments are shown in imperial measurements, but metric measurements may similarly be used. Other sizes can be made to fit a user's hands.

The gloves disclosed herein can be used in numerous combat sports including Judo, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay Thai, Krav Maga, boxing, kickboxing, and the like. Aside from competitions among athletes, the gloves may also be used for bag punching, sparring or grappling, or lifting.

In some embodiments, the gloves disclosed herein conform easily to a naturally clenched fist for more accurate striking and wrist stability. In some embodiments, the gloves comprise foam. In some embodiments, multi-level foam padding, such as triple-foam padding with a foam core layer to absorb shock from punches, may be used. The foam padding may be pre-curved, reducing the amount of hand strain for the fighter. In some embodiments, the backhand side of the glove comprises such foam padding.

In some embodiments, the foam structure is scarred and molded together. Scarring the foam produces the curvature and the seal that makes the gloves curvature through darting.

Multiple types of foams may be used in the gloves of this disclosure. Various types of foams having various densities can be used. For example, three different types of foam, with three different densities may be formed together. The top layer of the MMA glove can be the first type of foam, and may be EVA foam. The EVA foam top layer and the secondary layer of the glove, sandwich together an interior foam, foam material on the knuckle padding area. This configuration, combined with curving the foam, result in a striking surface that is comfortable for the user during long training sessions. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that multiple types and configurations of foam can be used.

In some embodiments, the foam construction may be configured to curve because the foam is darted in such a way that the foam molds naturally. In some embodiments, the two slits do not need to be pushed, although other embodiments may combine or interconnect the slits in different manners on the lower part of the glove and those two slits create the curvature when the foams are glued and constructed together.

In some embodiments, the slits on the foam would actually be on the interior on the lower left and right hand side of the lower part of the back of the hand piece before the strap. In some embodiments, the gloves comprise a lightweight, mesh palm area to ventilate the glove. In some embodiments, additional fabrics may be used to construct different components of the gloves; for example, leather would also be another option. In addition, different types of fabrics or materials may be used for different components of the gloves; for example, the palm area may be interconnected or made from the same piece of material.

Darting can be performed on the foam structure. The darting is performed toward the lower part of the hand, but may be done in other areas. The slits, darting, or other foam construction allow for the engineering and the construction of the three foam materials to create the mold in which the glove can curve. The glove would not curve without these slits and that curvature is exactly what makes the striking comfort so appealing to users. The slits are also referred to as darts/darting. That means there are two triangles on the side of the foam and that is connected, for example, using glue or other binding agent, the top and the bottom of those triangle cut outs, are operably interconnected together and this pulls the whole glove construction into that pre-curved mold.

In further embodiments, methods of molding and/or creating the foam may include creating a slit or slitting the pinky side (outer or external side of the hand) of the outer layer of foam for either hand. The outside foam can be darted from one side to reach the middle finger knuckle. The two inside softer foams will then conform. Both these methods are viable methods of creating a pre-curved striking surface with the glove. Additional or fewer layers of foam may be used in different embodiment of the gloves; further, one or more layers of the foam may be removed.

Example embodiments include an MMA glove that conforms more naturally to a clenched fist for accurate striking and wrist stability, including a pre-curved shape for the MMA glove, reducing the amount of hand strain on the fighter and triple foam padding in the MMA glove featuring a core layer of foam designed to better absorb the shock from punching.

The construction enables a pre-curved striking surface. Typically, gloves on the market are flat—when the glove is flat (e.g., in a flat position or laying on a flat surface) and the fighter's hand must be placed into a flat glove and the hand, inside the glove as being used to fight, is forced into the flat position of the glove. In some sports, a user has taped hands, or uses a hand wrap (as some example embodiments may enable users to wrap, tape, or otherwise cover their hands before entering into the glove using wraps/tapes/etc.). Once an athlete's hands are taped, the effort to don the gloves and use or train with the gloves becomes increasingly difficult and straining after periods of time.

However, if a user pre-curves a hand into the letter C and then closes the fist, the hand is then “pre-shaped” into a nearly clenched fist. This reduces the amount of work on the user's hand. However, such a shape is naturally harder to hold in normal, commonplace gloves currently available. As such, example embodiments of the gloves disclosed herein are configured such that the pre-curve reduces the amount of strain from having to close your fist.

Alternative example embodiments may include additional sizes across all areas of the hand and may be based, for example, on measurements other than weight or size.

EQUIVALENTS

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific embodiments and configurations described specifically in this disclosure. Such equivalents, and other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective sports glove comprising: a volar wrist portion comprising an unconnected distal end and a first attachment portion; a dorsal wrist portion comprising an unconnected ulna end and a second attachment portion; and a double strap securing mechanism comprising: a first strap operably connected to the volar wrist portion and configured to be releasably attached to the first attachment portion of the volar wrist portion; a strap slot attached proximate to the ulna end of the dorsal wrist portion and configured to receive the first strap therethrough; a second strap operably connected to the dorsal wrist portion; wherein the first strap is configured to be pulled through the strap slot to tighten the dorsal wrist portion and configured to be pulled back towards the thumb side of the glove and releasably attached to the first attachment portion; and wherein the second strap is configured to be pulled toward the thumb side of the glove, over the volar wrist portion, around a radius end of the glove, and releasably attached to the second attachment portion, thereby securing the glove around an inserted wrist.
 2. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of the volar wrist portion comprises hook-and-loop material.
 3. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein a hook-and-loop portion of the first strap is attached to the surface of the volar wrist portion.
 4. The protective sports glove of claim 3, wherein the first strap is configured to be releasably attached to the hook-and-loop portion of the first strap.
 5. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein the second attachment portion comprises hook-and-loop material.
 6. The protective sports glove of claim 1, further comprising a thumb opening.
 7. The protective sports glove of claim 1, further comprising an open palm configuration
 8. The protective sports glove of claim 1, further comprising a closed palm configuration. 